How to put social media back into your life
I joined Facebook in 2007 and was quite active back then. Like everybody else, I shared lots of pictures of all my wonderful trips in different countries and always had something to share or tell my family and friends. I was not particularly active posting messages or my 'feelings', but I do consider myself an active user if I was checking my Facebook account everyday and knowing the happenings in the lives of the people whom I care about.
Back then, the usage of Facebook was not as intense as current times, where nowadays, we are advised to apply time management for social media activities and there are articles or blogs giving the steps on how to do it and how to perform digital detox. These are really different times.
Some pictures from some of my trips which I have shared in Facebook
1. Rock climbing trip in Krabi, Thailand in 2007
2. Argentina - Brazil trip, at Itaipu Dam, December 2009
3. Graduated from Yoga Teachers Training, in Nasik, India, April 2009
I was very happy and open to share my life to the world until my son was about 8 months old. My husband used to read news about how pedophiles prey on kids or teenagers from pictures they post on social media (lets say he exaggerated quite a bit) and he quit posting pictures of our son on Facebook. Short after, I quit posting my life and my family's on Facebook as well for the last 4 years. By saying that, I also mean not checking Facebook account at all, which is why I did not send 'Thank you' messages back to friends and family who wished me 'Happy Birthday' the last couple of years.
But everything changed when I got to know JT Foxx. If I want to market and advertise my business, which platform would be the best to give me the results that I want? If you ask 10 people this question, almost 9 out of the 10 would say Facebook. And from JT's workshops and coaching sessions, it's always Facebook that gets the most credit.
So after the Sweden Dream Team coaching, I started to get active again in Facebook, like Coach Jeff said, 'there's no hiding and be secret agents here'. Whatever we plan to do, we shouldn't be embarrassed about it or be ashamed of it. If Facebook is the best platform for my business, then take advantage and not be afraid of it. Below are the ways that got me back into using Facebook again, which you can apply shall you feel how I felt before:
1. Decide when to restart social media
Start posting your messages or uploading your pictures when you're MENTALLY READY to have your friends, relatives and family 'like', 'comment' or 'share' them with their friends and family. Fix a date and when I say this, I mean it's best to combine with an event where you will have pictures and your experience that you can share on social media. At the same time, when the people that you have met find you on Facebook, be also mentally ready before accepting them as 'Friend' because the next thing you'll see is your name being tagged to their pictures or you being mentioned in their posts.
2. Be prepared to answer questions
The first point above will lead to this second point. Friends, relatives and family will know what's going on in your life so no secrets anymore. When you do meet them or have them on the phone or receive their 'comment', be prepared to answer their curiosity. You don't want to be rude. After all, you posted your life online in the first place.
When you have posted videos or posts related to your new business, everyone will want to know more. This would be the best time to elaborate so don't be shy.
3. What do you want your friends or everyone to know
When it comes to your ideas and your business, at the end, it's not the world that you are afraid of, but your friends and family that you really care about letting them know. You don't know if you'll receive criticism, negative feedback, ill advise, etc. why did I only think of this? Again, mindset issue that I talked about in my first blog. Maybe everyone's supportive and you just didn't know that.
4. Have a goal in mind
What do you want to use Facebook or your other social media for? Do you want to use it for your business? Or do you just want to keep up with friends and family? Without a goal in mind, it can be time consuming and quite a dread if you're not a big fan of social media but have to use it for business. If we know why we're in social media, we can limit our activities to achieving our objectives.
5. Enjoy and have fun with social media
Finally, have some fun with social media. At the end of the day, it's not so bad after all. Especially, if it helps you in any way in your life and your business. Make adjustments in your usage of social media as needed. It should bring you joy and pleasure and make sure it stays that way.